Dr George Zacharopoulos

Lecturer in Psychology

Psychology

+44 (0) 1792 987756

g.zacharopoulos@swansea.ac.uk

Office - 825 (7)
Eighth Floor
Vivian Building
Singleton Campus

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0574-866X

About

My main research focuses on:

(i) investigating the neural circuits that mediate objective performance in high-level cognition tasks (mathematics, working memory, cognitive control) and on

(ii) cultivating these circuits (cognitive training, non-invasive brain stimulation) to cause long lasting performance enhancements.

I am a graduate of Cardiff University (PhD in Psychology, 2017), University College London (MSc in Neuroscience, 2013) and the University of Cyprus (BSc in Psychology, 2011). I have also worked as a postdoctoral research associate at the Karolinska Institute (2016-2017), and the University of Oxford (2017-2020).

Areas Of Expertise

Cognitive Neuroscience
Cognitive control
Brain Plasticity
Neuroimaging

Career Highlights

Award Highlights

2019 Recognition Prize for Excellence, University of Oxford, £1000

2011 Scholarship for postgraduate studies, Cyprus State Scholarship Foundation, €5000

2011 Themistoklis Dervis prize for highest G.P.A. and the most important social contribution, €1500

Publications

Research Highlights

Zacharopoulos, G., Sella, F., Emir, U., & Kadosh, R. (2023). Dissecting the chain of information processing and its interplay with neurochemicals and fluid intelligence across development. eLife, 12
https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.84086, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64574
http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/elife.84086
Zacharopoulos, G., Ohmann, K., Ihssen, N., Kedia, G., Mussweiler, T., & Linden, D. (2023). The role of outgroup homogeneity and the neurodynamics of the frontal cortex during beauty comparisons. Social Neuroscience, 18(6), 382-392.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17470919.2023.2242098, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64067
Zacharopoulos, G., Maio, G., & Linden, D. (2023). Dissecting the neurocomputational bases of patch-switching. Cerebral Cortex
https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhad088, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62977
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhad088
Zacharopoulos, G., Sella, F., Kadosh, K., Emir, U., & Kadosh, R. (2021). The Effect of Parietal Glutamate/GABA Balance on Test Anxiety Levels in Early Childhood in a Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study. Cerebral Cortex, 32(15), 3243-3253.
https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhab412, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59140
Zacharopoulos, G. & Cohen, R. (2021). Predicting Working Memory Capacity Based on Glutamatergic Concentration and its Modulation of Functional Connectivity. Neuroscience, 457, 12-19.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.10.037, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58970
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.10.037

All Research

Journal Articles

Zacharopoulos, G., Ohmann, K., Ihssen, N., Kedia, G., Mussweiler, T., & Linden, D. (2023). The role of outgroup homogeneity and the neurodynamics of the frontal cortex during beauty comparisons. Social Neuroscience, 18(6), 382-392.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17470919.2023.2242098, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64067
Zacharopoulos, G., Sella, F., Emir, U., & Kadosh, R. (2023). Dissecting the chain of information processing and its interplay with neurochemicals and fluid intelligence across development. eLife, 12
https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.84086, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64574
http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/elife.84086
Zacharopoulos, G., Maio, G., & Linden, D. (2023). Dissecting the neurocomputational bases of patch-switching. Cerebral Cortex
https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhad088, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62977
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhad088
Zacharopoulos, G., Hertz, U., Kanai, R., & Bahrami, B. (2022). The effect of feedback valence and source on perception and metacognition: An fMRI investigation. Cognitive Neuroscience, 13(1), 38-46.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17588928.2020.1828323, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58964
Zacharopoulos, G., Sella, F., Kadosh, K., Emir, U., & Kadosh, R. (2021). The Effect of Parietal Glutamate/GABA Balance on Test Anxiety Levels in Early Childhood in a Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study. Cerebral Cortex, 32(15), 3243-3253.
https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhab412, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59140
Zacharopoulos, G., Sella, F., Emir, U., & Kadosh, R. (2021). The relation between parietal GABA concentration and numerical skills. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 17656-17656.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-95370-3, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58258
Zacharopoulos, G., Hanel, P., Wolfradt, U., Maio, G., & Linden, D. (2021). The relations between pathological personality traits and human values. Personality and Individual Differences, 179, 110766
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.110766, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58962
Zacharopoulos, G., Sella, F., Kadosh, K., Hartwright, C., Emir, U., & Kadosh, R. (2021). Predicting learning and achievement using GABA and glutamate concentrations in human development. PLOS Biology, 19(7), e3001325
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3001325, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58269
Zacharopoulos, G., Emir, U., & Kadosh, R. (2021). The cross‐sectional interplay between neurochemical profile and brain connectivity. Human Brain Mapping, 42(9), 2722-2733.
https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.25396, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58961
Zacharopoulos, G., Sella, F., & Kadosh, R. (2021). The impact of a lack of mathematical education on brain development and future attainment. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(24), e2013155118
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2013155118, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58270
Zacharopoulos, G. & Cohen, R. (2021). Predicting Working Memory Capacity Based on Glutamatergic Concentration and its Modulation of Functional Connectivity. Neuroscience, 457, 12-19.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.10.037, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58970
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.10.037
Zacharopoulos, G., Klingberg, T., & Kadosh, R. (2020). Structural variation within the left globus pallidus is associated with task-switching, not stimulus updating or distractor filtering. Cognitive Neuroscience, 11(4), 229-238.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17588928.2020.1813699, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58963
Zacharopoulos, G., Klingberg, T., & Kadosh, R. (2020). Cortical surface area of the left frontal pole is associated with visuospatial working memory capacity. Neuropsychologia, 143, 107486
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2020.107486, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58960
Zacharopoulos, G., Shenhav, A., Constantino, S., Maio, G., & Linden, D. (2018). The effect of self-focus on personal and social foraging behaviour. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 13(9), 967-975.
https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsy057, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58969
Zacharopoulos, G., Lancaster, T., Bracht, T., Ihssen, N., Maio, G., & Linden, D. (2016). A Hedonism Hub in the Human Brain. Cerebral Cortex, 26(10), 3921-3927.
https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhw197, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58965
Zacharopoulos, G., Hanel, P., Lancaster, T., Ihssen, N., Drakesmith, M., Foley, S., Maio, G., & Linden, D. (2016). Nonlinear associations between human values and neuroanatomy. Social Neuroscience, 12(6), 1-12.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17470919.2016.1229215, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58966
Zacharopoulos, G., Lancaster, T., Maio, G., & Linden, D. (2016). The genetics of neuroticism and human values. Genes, Brain and Behavior, 15(4), 361-366.
https://doi.org/10.1111/gbb.12286, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58968
Zacharopoulos, G., Binetti, N., Walsh, V., & Kanai, R. (2014). The Effect of Self-Efficacy on Visual Discrimination Sensitivity. PLoS ONE, 9(10), e109392
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0109392, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58967

Taught Modules

PS-D01 Research Project

The research module will involve constructing and executing a substantial research project, usually conducted in connection with a topic / theme relevant to the overall masters programme. Capitalising the on the links between the course and local services, there may be opportunities to conduct research within partner organisations (e.g. NHS trusts, mental health charities, forensic units) as well as undertaking research based on topics generated by academics based within the department of psychology. We also encourage students who come to the program with connections as a consequence of previous professional experience, to undertake projects that are linked to interests they have already established.
PS-M85 Critical Issues in Cognitive Neuroscience

The module provides a comprehensive overview of the critical issues in cognitive neuroscience, the scientific study of the underlying biological processes of cognition, e.g., memory, language, and emotion processing. Specific focus will be given to functional and structural neuroimaging, electroencephalography, and brain stimulation. Current research issues (e.g., brain-behaviour interactions, appropriate experimental design, modularity vs. brain connectivity) will be discussed and supplemented with recent peer-reviewed journal articles. Class participation in presenting and critiquing these articles is expected.
PS-M85I Critical Issues in Cognitive Neuroscience

The module provides a comprehensive overview of the critical issues in cognitive neuroscience, the scientific study of the underlying biological processes of cognition, e.g., memory, language, and emotion processing. Specific focus will be given to functional and structural neuroimaging, electroencephalography, and brain stimulation. Current research issues (e.g., brain-behaviour interactions, appropriate experimental design, modularity vs. brain connectivity) will be discussed and supplemented with recent peer-reviewed journal articles. Class participation in presenting and critiquing these articles is expected.
PSY211 Cognition II: Higher Level Processes

The module provides an in depth look at the cognitive processes underlying important higher level functions such as language, thinking, problem solving, reasoning and making decisions. The module will cover a series of topics related to the organisation and function of memory, the most important and hotly debated issues in psycholinguistics, including how children acquire language, how language is processed in the adult mind with particular emphasis on reading, spelling dyslexia and bilingualism, and the way in which humans make judgments, reach decisions and resolve problems and puzzles by examining the research evidence and exploring the classical and current theories.

Key Grants and Projects

The detection of metabolite concentration using the DW-CRT MEGA-SLASER sequence: a combined magnetic resonance spectroscopy-pharmacological investigation 2021

, £8500

Affiliated Positions

Postdoctoral Research Associate , University of Oxford

2017 - 2020

Invited Presentations, Lectures and Conferences

The Neurochemistry of Mathematical Development

2018

University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

Dr George Zacharopoulos

Telephone number

Email address

Research Links

About

Areas Of Expertise

Career Highlights

Publications

Research Highlights

All Research

Journal Articles

Taught Modules

PS-D01 Research Project

PS-M85 Critical Issues in Cognitive Neuroscience

PS-M85I Critical Issues in Cognitive Neuroscience

PSY211 Cognition II: Higher Level Processes

Key Grants and Projects

The detection of metabolite concentration using the DW-CRT MEGA-SLASER sequence: a combined magnetic resonance spectroscopy-pharmacological investigation 2021

Affiliated Positions

Postdoctoral Research Associate , University of Oxford

Invited Presentations, Lectures and Conferences

The Neurochemistry of Mathematical Development